Whether your passion is politics or foreign affairs, Randolph-Macon political science majors have unique access to the systems and ideas that organize human societies. The College’s ideal location – just 15 minutes from Virginia’s General Assembly and a 90-minute train ride to Washington D.C. – gives students a firm footing in the core concepts of political science, and unique internship, research, and hands-on learning opportunities in a specialization of their choosing: American politics; international relations; foreign and comparative politics; and political theory in the ideal campus setting. An RMC political science degree provides you with a strong foundation for careers in law, public administration, election campaigns, social justice, and public service.
Major/Minor Political Science
Political Science
up close In and Beyond the Classroom
high-impact Internships
Randolph-Macon political science majors test their skills with internships at agencies and organizations at the heart of our nation’s government. Students gain valuable, hands-on skills for future careers and graduate study as they engage with constituents, lobbyists and other legislators, and learn about event planning, legislative tracking, and political communication. RMC political science students recently completed internships at:
- U.S. Congress, offices of members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate
- U.S. Department of State
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Virginia General Assembly
- Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies
- Blue Compass Strategies
TRAVEL COURSES
The study of politics is a global endeavor, and RMC’s variety of interesting travel courses extend it worldwide. Travel courses have included:
- Comparative Legislatures (PSCI 330), in which students compared the U.S. Congress with the legislature of Japan, traveling to both Washington, D.C. and Tokyo for an immersive learning experience.
- Retail Politics (PSCI 306), where students worked directly on a presidential campaign in the run-up to the New Hampshire first-in-the-nation primary elections.
- Revolutionary Cuba (PSCI 336), in which students journeyed across the island to explore how Cubans live today and the legacy of the 1959 revolution.
hands-on research
The diverse specializations of RMC’s celebrated political science faculty lend themselves to a range of original research opportunities in which students address relevant, real-world issues. These mentored research projects help ensure RMC students graduate prepared to use advanced methods for research and legal work. Recent political science research projects include:
- Ella Swager ’25 – “Elections in Paraguay,” co-authored with Dr. Brian Turner and presented at the Middle Atlantic Council of Latin American Studies conference in March 2022.
- Benjamin Selimotic ’24 – “Nationalism and the Youth of the 21st Century in Bosnia and Herzegovina”: supervised by Dr. Brian Turner in summer 2021.
- Jordyn Sinsel ’23 – “Rare Event of Normal Behavior?: Explaining Dissenting Behavior on the Supreme Court of Japan” supervised by Dr. Lauren Bell in summer 2022.
- JR Darling ’22 – “Equal Justice Under Law: Prosecutor Demographics and the Death Penalty,” supervised by Dr. Lauren Bell in summer 2021 and published in the fall 2022 Social Science Quarterly.
- Mackenzie Phillips ’23 – “A Change Will Do You Good: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Changing Climate Change Attitudes” supervised by Dr. Lauren Bell in summer 2021 and presented at the 2022 Southwest Social Science Association conference.
Advising and Mentorship
Randolph-Macon political science faculty believe in learning by doing, resulting in graduates who are well-equipped for any endeavor upon graduation. As a political science student, you are supported by caring faculty in class and out, where professors act as mentors and guide you through original research methods and other hands-on learning opportunities.
-
$122,510the median annual salary of a political scientist
-
1stcentury BCE is when political science originated in the writings of Plato and Aristotle
-
28%of the 118th U.S. Congress are women
Political Science
in full Courses You Won’t Want to Miss
PSCI 310
Interest Group Politics
Study the roles of interest groups in the American political system. Explore interest group goals, how and why they influence members of Congress, the executive, and the courts, as well as their activities and influence during electoral campaigns. Conduct original research on what interests you most about political interest groups.
PSCI 327
International Terrorism
Analyze international terrorism from an individual, organizational, and systems perspective. Study the history, causes, methods, and characteristics of terrorism. Learn why international terrorism occurs and what governments can do to reduce or prevent it.
PSCI 285
Social Entrepreneurship
Social entrepreneurship is a process that applies innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing social problems. Learn about the theory and practice of social entrepreneurship through academic study, as well as activities beyond the classroom including field trips, speakers, and community service. Develop a business plan for a viable social enterprise that seeks to address and solve an existing social problem in a local or remote community.
Opportunities Worth Grabbing
Pi Sigma Alpha
Political Science Honor Society
Virginia21
Pre-law society
Young Democrats
College Republicans
From Here To What you can do with a Political Science degree from RMC.
Jordon Mpingo ’16
Program Specialist, Scholastic Competitions Program
United States Institute of Peace
“My time at Randolph-Macon was an enriching experience that propelled me forward after graduation. Through participating in various organizations including Greek Life, I’ve made lifelong connections which have been both personally and professionally rewarding. My professors utilized their wealth of knowledge and expertise to design excellent course material around relevant topics and current issues in the world, all of which prepared me for my career in international affairs. The career center and my professors supported me and were instrumental in helping me obtain various internships, allowing me to apply what I learned in class to real-world settings and gain hands-on experience.”
CHole Hodges ’22
Director of Legislative Affairs
Virginia, Maryland, & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives
“Randolph-Macon College provided me with an enriching blend of academic challenges and real-world opportunities, from volunteering on presidential campaigns to engaging in internships and researching topics that truly sparked my curiosity. The small, discussion-based classes were essential in developing my critical and creative thinking skills, however, it was the meaningful relationships I formed with my professors and peers that truly shaped my career. These relationships encouraged collaboration, creative problem-solving, and a deeper understanding of the world around me. Even now, in Richmond, I continue to learn from these connections—whether it’s catching up with professors or seeking advice from fellow alumni in the halls of the General Assembly Building. These ongoing relationships are a constant source of support and insight as I navigate my career”
ANDREW TEiXEIRA ’21
Senior Director of Outreach
Office of the Attorney General
Ty Mills ’22
Cloakroom Floor Assistant
Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
Hannalore Witt Taylor ’17
Senior Corporate Counsel
Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions
CHAD RYERSON ’05
Deputy Cadre Coordinator (Environmental Planning & Historic Preservation Cadre – Readiness Branch)
FEMA
CONNOR KISH ’15
Director
Sierra Club, Virginia Chapter
Antonia Douglas ’18
Associate Attorney
Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP
Curtis Ellis ’04
Dean, College of Arts & Cultural Studies and Professor, Political Science
Oral Roberts University
Buzzworthy The latest from RMC Political Science
Timely Federal Budget Course Equips Students to be Better Citizens
With the longest government shutdown in U.S. history as a backdrop, Dr. Elliott Fullmer’s course explores how the federal government raises and spends money.
Ashland Town Council Candidate Forum Features RMC Connections
The Forum, moderated by Political Science professor Dr. Lauren Bell, featured two candidates with ties to RMC.
Political Science Major Wins Best Undergraduate Paper Award for Research on Automatic Voter Registration
Jane Elkins ’26 has earned recognition for her research on voter participation, receiving the Pi Sigma Alpha Best Undergraduate Paper Award.
